syria has not signed a chemical weapons convention. they have not, however, moved to use these weapons but they are, according to what we know from the reporting, they are beginning to move these out of storage and the question is, what options do we have and right now the primary option is to ensure that the message is clear to assad and those around him that he cannot use these weapons in any form whatsoever and it seems to have heightened international diplomatic activity, particularly with russia in terms of getting that message out that that's a red line that can't be passed. >> how essential is russia being involved? >> russia is key. russia has been backing assad diplomatically at the u.n. and has deep ties into assad's regime. if they begin to walk away from syria and there appear to be signals that they are distancing themselves, that will put pressure on those around assad to make sure that they do not take assad's lead in potentially using these weapons and helpses move towards the resolution of this. >> you have a ground st